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IRAQ/UK: Families mourn victims of Baghdad church attack
By John Pontifex
Photographs of victims of the terrorist attack on Our Lady of Salvation Syrian Catholic Cathedral in Baghdad, Iraq
The families and friends of those who died in a terrorist attack on an Iraqi cathedral have paid an emotional tribute to lost loved ones at a packed memorial service in London.
Relatives of victims of the 31st October massacre broke down in tears when they saw images of the aftermath of the tragedy projected on a screen during the Mass on Friday, 12th November in Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Brook Green.
Present were the close family and friends of at least 20 of the 52 or more who died in the attack which took place during Sunday Mass at Baghdad’s Our Lady of Salvation Syrian Catholic Cathedral.
A key focal point for prayer and reflection during the Memorial Mass were the cross-shaped wreaths which were placed down the main aisle of the church. Each wreath bore the name of a victim,
During the service the names of all the deceased were read out.
Recalling the 31st October attack, Father Nizar Semaan, the London-based chaplain to Syrian Catholics in the UK, appealed to the governments of Iraq and the West to step up action to protect Christians.
Calling for the culprits to be brought to justice, he said in his homily: “No one can be silent in the face of this massacre. We appeal to all who believe in human rights to stand against this massacre and do more not just by words but by practical acts.”
Father Semaan paid tribute to Christians determined to stay in Iraq, saying that their continued presence was “proclaiming victory” over terrorist organisations.
He added: “The Christians in Iraq are the light which illuminates the souls, the minds and the hearts of all Iraqi people.
“Killing Christians will not extinguish the lamp. Their tears will be the oil which keeps this light alive.”
Calling on all to “condemn” the attacks “without reservation”, Father Semaan said Arab and Islamic leaders should do more to combat extremism.
Father Semaan’s homily, which was attended by local Muslim leaders, was followed by loud applause and a standing ovation.
Earlier, Auxiliary Bishop Alan Hopes of Westminster said: “The Christian community [in Iraq] is now in danger of becoming extinct through intimidation and militant activity which is causing so many Christians to leave.”
He added: “In what happened [in the Baghdad cathedral], we have seen evil at work in our world – real evil. But we know that evil has already been defeated by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
It was standing room only in the church, with an estimated 600 present at the service which was attended by staff from Aid to the Church in Need.
This video contains scenes that some viewers may find disturbing
Supporting Christians in Iraq and across the Middle East is a priority for Aid to the Church in Need.
Urging the charity to step up further its support for the region, Pope Benedict XVI said that “local Churches in the Middle East are threatened in their very existence”.
• Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster will preside and preach at another Memorial Mass at Westminster Cathedral on Friday, 26th November at 7pm.